The Baronets Diary July 2024
In one week at the end of May we lost three services in the village. First, as I wrote about in a previous column, we saw the closure of the Butchers’ shop on Chapel Lane that Andrew Holmes had run so earnestly for over 5 years seeing us all through the pandemic and so much more. Andrew and Steph called it a day after the rise in veganism, increasing costs and a slow down in custom brought them to the conclusion that getting out now seemed the sensible option. Second, we saw the end of Gavin Bentley’s white van that toured the local area as a troubadour shop on wheels. Adrian deciding to retire as custom was waning and a rise in transport ownership saw village people shop in Ashbourne, Wirksworth and Matlock. And then third we learnt that our postie for over 5 years come rain or shine Michelle had left Royal Mail after her final delivery round on the last Saturday in May. Michelle was such a cheery soul in the morning that she became an ‘honorary Tissingtonian’ so much so that she attended our Coronation Party last year. We will miss all three and we wish them well in their new ventures.
Well Dressings at Tissington always start on Ascension Day. This year we were blessed with superb weather on May 9th as we gathered for the service of Blessing at St Mary’s Church followed by the Procession and Blessings of all six wells in our community. This year we welcomed the High Sheriffs of Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and Staffordshire to the Service and the parade around the village. All were thrilled to be here and view this array of unusual decorative collages of petals and twigs that create splendid tributes to the Lord for the life-giving water of the wells that never dry up in times of drought and in times of plague. They especially liked Yew Tree Well designed by Mervyn King that depicted a Guide Dog to commemorate the 90th year of the institution’s founding. A stunning well for a great charity. Next year I plan to double the amount of High Sheriffs attending hoping for half a dozen or more.! We will look forward to May 29th next year.
In May we said goodbye to a great stalwart of the village. Ron Anderson came here with his charming wife Meryl about fifteen years ago, moved away to Bournemouth for three years and subsequently returned to Tissington after Meryl had stated that there were ‘too many old people ‘ on the South Coast. Ron left school at 14 , had a harsh upbringing that steeled him for life, married Meryl and put their two children through private education ensuring that both could talk and converse with anyone. He was a great tank enthusiast and , whilst living in the south, was an enthusiast guide at the military Tank Museum at Bovingdon. Such was his love for tea, cake and biscuits we all celebrated his life at Herbert’s Tearooms opposite the Church… of course with a special cake. Our love and condolences to Meryl and the family.
As I tour the village halls and parish meeting rooms of Derbyshire to give talks to WI groups and historical groups about Tissington I notice portraits of the late Queen on the wall in either the main hall or an annex. We have never had anything like that at our Village Hall by the pond but that has now changed-recently the Parish Council was thrilled to receive an official photograph of the King to adorn our walls. Our clerk, Brenda Kirkham, says that every Parish in the country was free to apply for one and ours hangs serenely in the hall for everyone to see. My connection…the picture was taken by society photographer Hugo Burnand with whom I was at Cheam Prep School some 50 years ago!
We have a rule in the house that various doors to the flats are kept shut at all times lest the cat sneaks in and we lose her for a few days. I am sad to report that Mrs Hudson our chief vermin control officer has now gone to perform her duties in heaven. Mrs H , as she was known, was a firm favourite in our household and often greeted me with a present after her nocturnal activities much to the alarm of Emily. However heart problems meant that we lost her far too early at the age of only 12. We shall take a little time to find her mice-catcher successor but already we are scouring the local rescue homes in case a suitable applicant appears. Meanwhile we are constantly reminded of her as we shut those doors to the flats.